Medical Health Encyclopedia

In a 2001 study, 55% patients continued to meet these criteria after 5 years, but only 3.5% developed dependency, the next stage.

Alcohol Dependence. People who are alcohol dependent have three or more of the following alcohol-related problems over a year:

• Increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce an effect
• Withdrawal symptoms or drinking alcohol is used to avoid these symptoms
• Drinks more over a given period than intended
• Unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down
• Gives up significant leisure or work activities
• Continues to drink in spite of the knowledge of its physical or psychological harm to oneself or others

Text Continues Below

---

In one long-term study, two-thirds of those with alcohol dependence continued to be dependent on alcohol after 5 years.